
Athlon II X2 210e vs Core i3-350M

Athlon II X2 210e

Core i3-350M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon II X2 210e is positioned at rank 837 and the Core i3-350M is on rank 17, so the Core i3-350M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 210e
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-350M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X2 210e | Core i3-350M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($28) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X2 210e | Core i3-350M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+180%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($28) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II X2 210e and Core i3-350M

Athlon II X2 210e
The Athlon II X2 210e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,089 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-350M
The Core i3-350M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,088 points. Launch price was $130.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X2 210e packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-350M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Athlon II X2 210e versus 0.27 GHz on the Core i3-350M — a 162.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 210e (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Athlon II X2 210e uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-350M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 210e scores 1,089 against the Core i3-350M's 1,088 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon II X2 210e. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 210e vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-350M.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 210e | Core i3-350M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+863% | 0.27 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+15% | 2.26 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,089 | 1,088 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 280 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 650 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X2 210e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-350M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 210e versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-350M — the Athlon II X2 210e supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 210e supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 210e) vs 16 (Core i3-350M) — the Core i3-350M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 210e) and HM55,HM57 (Core i3-350M).
| Feature | Athlon II X2 210e | Core i3-350M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 8 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 210e) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-350M). The Core i3-350M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Athlon II X2 210e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-350M targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 210e rivals Pentium E5300; Core i3-350M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 210e | Core i3-350M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Intel HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Entry Laptop |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X2 210e launched at $60 MSRP, while the Core i3-350M debuted at $130. At current prices ($28 vs $10), the Core i3-350M is $18 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 210e delivers 38.9 pts/$ vs 108.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-350M — making the Core i3-350M the 94.7% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 210e | Core i3-350M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-54% | $130 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $28 | $10-64% |
| Performance per Dollar | 38.9 | 108.8+180% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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